Syrian rebels prepare for push on eastern oil city

February 12, 2013|Reuters

By Mariam Karouny

BEIRUT, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels are launching amajor operation to take control of the strategic eastern city ofDeir al-Zor after pushing out government forces fromoil-producing areas around it, a rebel commander said.

If they seize the city, the rebels will control a wholeprovince for the first time in the 22-month-old Syrian uprisingagainst President Bashar al-Assad.

Ibrahim Abu Baker, leader of the powerful Al-QadisiyahBrigade, said his rebel force, along with Islamists from Jabhatal-Nusra and Arab fighters, had surrounded Deir al-Zor on foursides in the build-up to the operation.

"The countryside is liberated, what is left of the province(of Deir al-Zor) is the city itself," he told Reuters from theprovince via Skype. "All brigades are taking part in this... Weare in charge of the eastern side of the city."

Deir al-Zor extends northwards along the Euphrates Riverfrom the border with western Iraq, home to Sunni Muslim tribeswhich support the Syrian rebels.

Another rebel from Abu Baker's brigade said on Monday thatfighters had started the first stage of the operation bytargeting tank fire against three military targets inside thecity and besieging the final army stronghold on its outskirts.

"We are now surrounding (the army's) '113 Brigade' which isthe last point in the countryside before we are totally focusedon the city," said the rebel fighter who used the name AbuMazen. "When we liberate the city some brigades will stay totake care of it and the rest will march to Damascus".

Abu Baker said for months the rebel forces had only limitedaccess to the city, which contains powerful security branchesand a military airport.

But two weeks ago, with help from Jabhat al Nusra, theycaptured a security branch located near a strategic bridge onthe Euphrates, opening the eastern bank to the rebels.

"After liberating the bridge we started sending aid andweapons to the fighters inside the city.. And also sendingreinforcements," he said. "Now there is nothing to stop us fromentering the city."

The Qadisiyah Brigade is one of the most influential in theprovince and has fought fierce battles with government forces.

It already controls wheat silos, a textile factory and a gasdistribution centre. It is composed of eight battalions withfighters from across the country, Abu Baker said.

"FIGHTING FOR GOD"

The revolt against Assad has taken on a sectarian hue,pitting the mainly Sunni rebels against an army whose seniorranks are dominated by Assad's minority Alawites.

Like most brigades fighting in Syria, Abu Baker said hisforce is composed of Syrian Sunni fighters only. "We areIslamists, we went out just to support our religion. This is whywe took to the streets. We respect other religions but we areSunnis and we want a Sunni to rule not an Alawite."

Other Arab fighters from Iraq and Saudi Arabia are alsofighting in the province, he said. "They are a separate faction,but our relation with them is good. We welcome anybody who wantsto join us in jihad against Assad whether Saudis or Iraqis."

"...Our goal is one and we are fighting for God."

Rebels control the Syrian side of the Albu Kamal crossinginto Deir al-Zor province, a key supply route from Iraq, but theIraqi government has sometimes closed the crossing fearing aspillover of sectarian conflict into their country.

Iraq's government faces its own Sunni protests, with aseries of demonstrations in the Western province of Anbar.

With protests in Iraq increasing, Syrian rebels are keepinga close eye on their neighbour and some are anticipating clasheswith the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad.

"The Sunnis in Anbar are helping with weapons andammunitions," Abu Baker said. "Their days (of fighting) willcome soon and Inshallah (God willing) we will go to jihad withthem. Those Sunnis are our brothers."